PUCRS is already in Paris for the 2024 Olympics

Part of the Olympic Studies Research Group arrived in the French capital on July 9

A few days away from the Paris Olympics, part of PUCRS’s Olympic Studies Research Group
(GPEO) has already arrived in the French capital for the 2024 edition. “Paris is already feeling the Olympic spirit! The sports facilities are almost ready, and everything is well organized so everyone can find them easily. With all the commotion, urban mobility is somewhat limited due to reinforced safety measures, after all, the arenas are in the city’s main tourist spots and the opening ceremony will be held in the Seine, for the first time outside of a stadium,” says Luis Henrique Rolim, professor from the Physical Education Degree Program, from the School of Health and Life Sciences, and GPEO researcher.

The rest of the team, consisting of Nelson Todt, coordinator of the Olympic Studies Research Group from PUCRS’s School of Health and Life Sciences, president of the Brazilian Committee Pierre de Coubertin, and vice-president of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee, Fernanda Faggiani, coordinator of the Specialization in Sports Psychology, and GPEOcollaborators, Christian Kern, Laura Neuhaus and William de Oliveira, arrives on July 19.

“PUCRS’s participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris represents a unique opportunity for the University to stand out in a global platform. Joining the Games, PUCRS will gain visibility and will reinforce itsinternational reputation,showing itsrole as an influent member and authority in the Olympic scene, through the GPEO,” says Nelson Todt.

The Group is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for being a part of the network of research in Olympic Studies, officially approved by the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Studies Center.

One of the activities carried out by the team in Paris was the participation in the 16th International Symposium for Olympic and Paralympic Research, in Besançon – Université Franche-Comté, the participation in the 4th International Colloquium of Olympic Studies and Research Centers, in Besançon – Université Franche-Comté, and the visit to the headquarter of the International Olympic Committee.

While in France, PUCRS’s team of researchers will remain available to contribute on various
aspects involving the Olympic Games. Get to know the researchers:

Curriculum of the PUCRS professors and GPEO researchers:

• Luis Henrique Rolim holds a PhD in Sports Sciences from German Sports University Cologne, in Germany. He is currently a professor in the Physical Education Degree Program from the School of Health and Life Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). As researcher in the Olympic Studies Research Group (GPEO), his most recent research has focused on sociocultural themes in the sports field, including electronic games and e-sports, new Olympic modalities like skateboarding, the legacy and Olympic Ceremonies, such as the torch relay.
• Nelson Todt is a Full Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), where he is the Director of the Olympic Studies Research Group. He is a Professor and Module Leader at the International Master’s Program in Olympic Studies in the German Sports University Cologne (Germany). Professor Todt is President of the Brazilian Committee Pierre de Coubertin and Vice President of the International Committee Pierre de Coubertin. His research is focused on Olympic values, Pierre de Coubertin (creator of the modern Olympic Games), Olympic Ceremonies (Games opening, torch relay — he was the torchbearer in 2016), Olympic Truce and Ancient Olympic Games.
• Fernanda Faggiani has degrees in Psychology and Physical Education from PUCRS, and she is a specialist and coordinator of the Specialization in Sports Psychology. Professor
  of the School of Health and Life Sciences, in the Psychology and Physical Education graduate degree programs, and she is also a researcher of PUCRS’s Olympic Studies Research Group. She has experience in the field of sports psychology and currently carries out research on the “Mental State” of Olympic athletes in partnership with the Olympic Committee of Brazil, and also focuses her studies on the field of paralympic sport.